Frustrated Simon Grayson reacts as Sunderland throw away 3-1 lead at Brentford to draw

Sunderland went behind at Griffin Park after just eight minutes thanks to Nico Yennaris' tap-in but the Black Cats responded well and struck an equaliser through Lewis Grabban's fourth of the season just five minutes later.

Grayson's side then took a fortunate lead five minutes before the break, Bryan Oviedo's corner was fumbled in by keeper David Bentley before Grabban made it 3-1 in added-on time from the penalty spot after Duncan Watmore was fouled.

Sunderland couldn't hold on for only their second league win of the campaign, the game ending 3-3.

Florian Jozefzoon's stunning free-kick got the Bees back in the game two minutes into the second half before sub Neal Maupay scored the equaliser 12 minutes from time, deflecting in Jozefzoon's shot.

It leaves Sunderland 23rd, three points from safety.

Grayson said: "Elation when you go 3-1 up and playing well to not winning the game is frustrating and disappointing.

"It was one of them games where there were a few mistakes, difficult conditions and you play against a good team.

"Would you have taken that before the game? Probably. But ultimately when you are in that position you want to make sure you do what you can to win it.

"The goal right at the start of the second half was a body blow to us but it didn't affect us too much in terms of them then dominating, we got back into it and then a deflection has allowed them back in it.

"Brentford are on a good run of form and have some talented players. It is not as if it is an easy place to come for the opposition, they will look to dicate the possession.

"We are on the back of three games undefeated and it might not sound a lot but where we have come from, we are making progression with some players coming back.

"We now have back-to-back home games where we have to look to get maximum points."

Grayson also moved to defend his defensive players, the Black Cats boss stressing that there was more than a touch of fortune about all three of the hosts' goals.

"I think they defended well, the shape of the team was quite good. There was other factors that maybe contributed to it," added the Sunderland boss.

"Catts could have had a free-kick in the lead up to the first, Didier wins the ball for the second one which led to the free kick and third is a deflection.

"You have to defend well against Brentford and for large parts we didn't do too bad, Steeley didn't have to make loads and loads of saves.

"We were decent going forward, we have to put all the ingredients together to win a game."

Grayson has never won at Griffin Park in his managerial career and he was left to rue a frustrating second half that saw Dean Smith's Brentford get back into the game.

Grayson added: "Someone did remind me [of my record] before the game that was the case. You get certain grounds where you don't get the results you like.

"At half-time we said to the players we start brightly and don't give them an early goal. That didn't pan out as we would have liked to have done.

"We worked hard. The players carried out the instructions in terms of when to press, when not to press and we made it difficult for Brentford at times.

"The conditions didn't help either side but we are making strides forward. We need to be moving and be quicker. With the players coming back in we are going to be winning games very soon."